Courtney Act has a message for any parents who have wondered if their child is gay, and may be worried.
Don't make gender an agenda, she says.
The international superstar drag queen is in New Zealand to promote her show Under The Covers after her last show, The Girl from Oz, was a complete sell-out.
Act has always been a fan of New Zealand.
She's a worldwide ambassador for gender fluidity and says when it comes to society, Aotearoa has got it right.
"Australian society has changed, because we have marriage equality," she says.
"American society has changed because Donald Trump is president. Brexit is happening in the UK... but you guys got it down pat here in New Zealand, but you always have been kinda good at that."
Act, also known as Shane Jenek when not in drag, came to prominence competing on the first season of Australian Idol in 2003.
In 2014, she was one of the runners-up in season six of RuPaul's Drag Race.
She's just recently won Celebrity Big Brother in the UK, competing against a group that included former conservative politician Ann Widdcombe, who was very critical of Act.
Both repeatedly butt heads on the reality show.
"She's anti-abortion, anti-climate science, pro-capital punishment but she is fond of recycling... which makes sense because most of her ideas are left over rubbish from the 18th century," says Act.
She has always been outspoken about the gender divide and herself lives life sometimes as a girl, and sometimes as a boy.
Act says if parents out there have had a similar experience with their own children, they shouldn't worry.
''That should be supported and celebrated. I don't think you need to label it," Act says.
"Kids go through stages. Boys want to wear dresses and a month later they want a superhero costume."
She urges parents to be aware there are different identities and that is just part of evolution of a child.
"Pink isn't for girls and blue isn't for boys," she says.
"Trucks aren't for boys, barbies aren't for girls. Let kids pick the toys they want. Let them have the experience they want. Don't shame them about any behaviours that might not hit the status quo.".
Act opens her show Under The Covers tonight at Auckland's Q Theatre.
Newshub.
